16 Common Cyberattack Types and How to Safeguard Against Them
To combat cybercrime effectively, companies must first understand how they are being targeted. Modern cybercriminals are no longer hobbyists or amateur hackers; they include state-sponsored groups and professional criminals aiming to steal information and generate significant profits. While vandalism and disruption remain common, espionage has become a key motivator, second only to financial gain. This increasing sophistication of attackers often overwhelms security teams, making it challenging to secure IT systems.
Organizations face numerous cyberattacks daily. Check Point Research reported a global weekly average of 1,158 attacks per organization in 2023. Meanwhile, IT Governance revealed that 8.2 billion records were exposed in publicly disclosed breaches that year. Cybersecurity Ventures estimated that cybercrime costs globally would reach $8 trillion in 2023 and climb to $9.5 trillion in 2024. IBM's annual report found the average cost of a data breach to be a record $4.45 million in the year ending March 2023. The impact of cyberattacks includes both tangible losses, such as financial and productivity setbacks, and intangible consequences, such as reputational damage and loss of trust among customers and business partners.
The essence of cybercrime lies in exploiting vulnerabilities, putting defenders at a disadvantage. Security teams must protect all potential entry points, while attackers only need to exploit a single weakness. This imbalance favors attackers, making it difficult for even large enterprises to prevent breaches. Cybercriminals can monetize access to networks that must remain open and connected, while security teams strive to safeguard resources.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also vulnerable, as they often lack advanced cybersecurity measures, making them easier targets for attackers. Any internet-connected device can become a weapon or a target in cyberattacks.
Security teams must prepare for a wide range of threats. One of the most prevalent types of attacks is malware, a broad term for malicious software designed to exploit devices for the attacker’s benefit.
1. Malware
Malware refers to malicious software designed to evade detection by both users and security systems, installing itself without permission. One of the most feared types of malware is ransomware, which encrypts victims’ files and demands payment for a decryption key. Other notable types of malware include:
- Rootkits: These tools create backdoors on devices, enabling attackers to install additional malware or gain remote control. Rootkits often disable security software, allowing attackers to send spam, join botnets, or steal sensitive data.
- Trojans: Disguised as legitimate programs or files, Trojans trick users into installing them. Once activated, they perform malicious actions such as launching attacks or creating backdoors for future exploitation.
- Spyware: Operating without user knowledge, spyware monitors internet activity, steals credentials, and collects sensitive information, including financial data and passwords. Notably, spyware like Pegasus has been used by governments for surveillance on activists, politicians, and others.
2. Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is typically installed when users visit malicious websites or open harmful email attachments. This malware exploits vulnerabilities to encrypt critical files—such as documents, spreadsheets, databases, and system files—rendering them inaccessible. Attackers then demand payment for the decryption key.
In some cases, ransomware exfiltrates data and threatens to sell or leak it if the ransom is unpaid. For instance, the 2017 WannaCry attack affected organizations in over 150 countries, costing the U.K.'s NHS $111 million. Similarly, in 2023, a ransomware attack on Royal Mail disrupted international shipments for six weeks, incurring $13 million in remediation costs.
Resources like the U.S. government’s StopRansomware website provide guidance on prevention and response for these severe threats.
3. Password Attacks
As passwords remain a primary authentication method, they are a common target for cybercriminals. Common techniques to steal passwords include:
- Brute Force: Manually or automatically guessing password combinations.
- Dictionary Attacks: Using precompiled lists of common words or phrases.
- Social Engineering: Tricking users into revealing their credentials.
- Keylogging: Capturing keystrokes to obtain sensitive information.
- Password Sniffing: Extracting unencrypted credentials transmitted over networks.
- Database Theft: Breaching systems to steal credentials or purchasing stolen databases on the dark web.
According to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, stolen credentials contributed to nearly half of documented breaches.
4. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks
DDoS attacks involve flooding a target server or website with traffic from multiple compromised devices, overwhelming its capacity and disrupting legitimate access. Netscout reported 7.9 million DDoS attacks in the first half of 2023, a 31% increase from the previous year.
5. Phishing
Phishing uses deceptive communication, often posing as reputable entities, to extract sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. Common forms include:
- Spear Phishing: Targeting specific individuals or organizations.
- Whaling: Targeting high-ranking executives.
- Business Email Compromise (BEC): Impersonating authority figures to trick employees into transferring funds or sharing sensitive data.
In 2022, the FBI recorded over 300,000 phishing complaints, resulting in $52 million in losses.
6. SQL Injection Attacks
SQL injection attacks manipulate database queries to access or extract sensitive data. For example, a SQL injection vulnerability in Progress Software’s MoveIt Transfer application led to data breaches affecting thousands of organizations.
7. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
XSS attacks inject malicious scripts into trusted websites, compromising users who visit them. These scripts can steal session cookies, deface websites, or distribute malware.
8. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks
MitM attacks intercept communication between two parties, allowing attackers to eavesdrop, manipulate, or steal information. These attacks often target online banking or e-commerce users.
9. URL Manipulation
Also known as URL poisoning, this involves modifying URL parameters to gain unauthorized access. For instance, altering a URL parameter may allow attackers to view another user's account if proper authorization controls are missing.
10. DNS Spoofing
DNS spoofing redirects users to fake websites by altering stored IP addresses on DNS servers. These counterfeit sites often mimic legitimate ones to steal login credentials.
11. DNS Tunneling
DNS tunneling hides malicious data within DNS traffic to bypass firewalls. This method is commonly used for command-and-control operations, providing persistent access to compromised systems.
12. Botnet Attacks
A botnet is a network of malware-infected devices controlled by attackers. These networks are used for spam, click fraud, and DDoS attacks. For example, the Meris botnet launched record-breaking DDoS attacks due to its large size and sophisticated methods.
13. Watering Hole Attacks
Watering hole attacks compromise frequently visited websites to infect users with malware. This method is often used to target specific industries and can deliver remote access Trojans.
14. Insider Threats
Employees or contractors with legitimate access can intentionally or accidentally compromise systems. Insiders accounted for 19% of data breaches in 2023. High-profile examples include Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks and a 2023 military document leak by a National Guard member.
15. Eavesdropping Attacks
Eavesdropping, or packet sniffing, captures unencrypted network traffic in real time. Attackers often use phishing or physical access to install sniffing tools on target systems.
16. Birthday Attacks
Birthday attacks exploit weaknesses in hash functions to discover credentials or forge digital signatures. Developers should implement strong cryptographic algorithms to mitigate this risk.
Preventing Common Cyberattacks
As the number of devices connected to a network grows, so does its value and attractiveness to attackers. Metcalfe's law highlights this by stating that the value of a network increases exponentially with the number of connected users. For large networks, this makes it challenging to deter attackers by raising the cost of attacks. While security teams must accept that their networks will face persistent threats, understanding how different types of cyberattacks operate allows organizations to implement effective strategies to mitigate potential damage. Here are key steps to consider:
Addressing Vulnerabilities
Attackers often exploit weaknesses in an organization's IT infrastructure to gain initial access. Regularly identifying and remediating these vulnerabilities through a robust vulnerability management program is crucial in minimizing attack opportunities.Human Element in Security
Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology. The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Report revealed that 74% of breaches involved human factors, such as errors or falling victim to social engineering tactics. These errors range from downloading malicious files to using weak passwords. To counter this, organizations must prioritize security awareness training. As attack techniques evolve, training programs should be continuously updated, and cyberattack simulations can help assess and improve employee awareness where gaps are identified.Defense-in-Depth Strategy
A multi-layered defense strategy is essential for reducing the impact of attacks. This approach should be reinforced through regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address exploitable weaknesses in operating systems and applications.End-to-End Encryption
Implementing end-to-end encryption across networks can prevent attackers from extracting sensitive data, even if they bypass perimeter defenses or intercept network traffic.Zero-Day Exploits and Advanced Threat Prevention
To address zero-day vulnerabilities—where attackers exploit previously unknown weaknesses—organizations should consider tools like content disarm and reconstruction (CDR). CDR assumes all content is potentially harmful and removes components that deviate from the expected file specifications and format, effectively neutralizing malicious elements.Proactive Monitoring and Incident Response
Security teams must actively monitor their IT environments for unusual or unauthorized activities to detect threats early. Techniques like network segmentation can help contain and disrupt attacks by isolating affected areas. Additionally, having a well-prepared and regularly rehearsed incident response plan ensures a swift and effective reaction to detected threats.Adapting to Evolving Threats
To keep pace with ever-changing cyber threats, organizations need adaptable cybersecurity strategies and sufficient budgets to deploy new controls when necessary. Leveraging AI can also enhance the effectiveness of security teams by enabling faster detection and response to emerging threats.
By combining proactive measures, technological solutions, and a culture of security awareness, organizations can strengthen their defenses against the persistent and evolving landscape of cyberattacks.
